Three men have been jailed for life in Adamawa state for kidnapping a journalist and collecting ransom for her release.
– Key points to note
Muhammad Habib Maki (aka Dram), Barde Usman, and Umar Mammanjoda (aka Umar Mbamba) who abducted the journalist were convicted and sentenced to life in prison by a high court in Yola, the state capital.
Justice Danladi Mohammed also sentenced another kidnapper, Umar Abubakar, to 10 years in prison with an option of N1 million fine, and Husseini Hamman to five years in prison without an option of fine.
The convicts abducted Amra Ahmad-Daska of Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation on May 4, 2021, at her residence in Yola-South Local Government Area.
She was released a week later, after payment of N4 million ransom to the abductors.
– Learn more
The Adamawa council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists praised the ruling, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
“We specifically commend the Police for the discreet investigation into the matter which led to their subsequent prosecution,” the union of journalists said in statement by chairman Ishaka Dedan and Secretary Fidelis Jockthan.
“The arrest and conviction of the culprits has demonstrated that there is still hope for the common man in the country’s policing and the judicial system.
“Such action will definitely rid the society of bad eggs as well as guarantee safety of citizens,” they said.
– Why this matters
Reporters without Border says Nigeria is one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists, who are often monitored, attacked and arbitrarily arrested, as was the case during the 2023 elections.
In the first quarter of 2023, there were at least 45 cases of harassment and infringements suffered by journalists. Crimes against journalists mostly go unpunished, even when the perpetrators are known or apprehended.
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